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Direct visualization of edge state in even-layer MnBi2Te4 at zero magnetic field

Author

Listed:
  • Weiyan Lin

    (Fudan University)

  • Yang Feng

    (Fudan University)

  • Yongchao Wang

    (Tsinghua University
    Tsinghua University)

  • Jinjiang Zhu

    (Fudan University)

  • Zichen Lian

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Huanyu Zhang

    (Fudan University)

  • Hao Li

    (Tsinghua University
    Tsinghua University)

  • Yang Wu

    (Tsinghua University
    Tsinghua University)

  • Chang Liu

    (Tsinghua University
    Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Science)

  • Yihua Wang

    (Fudan University
    Shanghai Research Center for Quantum Sciences)

  • Jinsong Zhang

    (Tsinghua University
    Frontier Science Center for Quantum Information)

  • Yayu Wang

    (Tsinghua University
    Frontier Science Center for Quantum Information)

  • Chui-Zhen Chen

    (Soochow University
    Soochow University)

  • Xiaodong Zhou

    (Fudan University
    Fudan University
    Shanghai Qi Zhi Institute)

  • Jian Shen

    (Fudan University
    Fudan University
    Fudan University
    Shanghai Qi Zhi Institute)

Abstract

Being the first intrinsic antiferromagnetic (AFM) topological insulator (TI), MnBi2Te4 is argued to be a topological axion state in its even-layer form due to the antiparallel magnetization between the top and bottom layers. Here we combine both transport and scanning microwave impedance microscopy (sMIM) to investigate such axion state in atomically thin MnBi2Te4 with even-layer thickness at zero magnetic field. While transport measurements show a zero Hall plateau signaturing the axion state, sMIM uncovers an unexpected edge state raising questions regarding the nature of the “axion state”. Based on our model calculation, we propose that the edge state of even-layer MnBi2Te4 at zero field is derived from gapped helical edge states of the quantum spin Hall effect with time-reversal-symmetry breaking, when a crossover from a three-dimensional TI MnBi2Te4 to a two-dimensional TI occurs. Our finding thus signifies the richness of topological phases in MnB2Te4 that has yet to be fully explored.

Suggested Citation

  • Weiyan Lin & Yang Feng & Yongchao Wang & Jinjiang Zhu & Zichen Lian & Huanyu Zhang & Hao Li & Yang Wu & Chang Liu & Yihua Wang & Jinsong Zhang & Yayu Wang & Chui-Zhen Chen & Xiaodong Zhou & Jian Shen, 2022. "Direct visualization of edge state in even-layer MnBi2Te4 at zero magnetic field," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-35482-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35482-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mingqiang Gu & Jiayu Li & Hongyi Sun & Yufei Zhao & Chang Liu & Jianpeng Liu & Haizhou Lu & Qihang Liu, 2021. "Spectral signatures of the surface anomalous Hall effect in magnetic axion insulators," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yaoxin Li & Yongchao Wang & Zichen Lian & Hao Li & Zhiting Gao & Liangcai Xu & Huan Wang & Rui’e Lu & Longfei Li & Yang Feng & Jinjiang Zhu & Liangyang Liu & Yongqian Wang & Bohan Fu & Shuai Yang & Lu, 2024. "Fabrication-induced even-odd discrepancy of magnetotransport in few-layer MnBi2Te4," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.

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